Govt Launches Probe After Seizure Of Starlink Devices In Manipur

SUMMARY

The government wrote to Starlink seeking ownership details of its satellite internet devices that was recovered from drug smugglers in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, but the company refused to provide necessary details, citing privacy laws

In December, security forces conducted raids in Manipur's Imphal East and seized Starlink devices that were abandoned by a banned Meitei extremist outfit that operates from Myanmar

A month before that incident, smugglers brought drugs worth $4.5 Bn into the Indian waters using Starlink devices

Elon Musk-controlled Starlink has landed in fresh regulatory trouble in India with the Centre launching a high-level probe into the recovery of its satellite internet devices that found their way into the hands of drug smugglers and insurgents.

In December, security forces reportedly conducted raids at the Keirao Khunou area of Imphal East in Manipur and seized Starlink devices that were abandoned by a banned Meitei extremist outfit that operates from Myanmar.

A month before that incident, smugglers brought drugs worth $4.5 Bn into the Indian waters via sea using Starlink devices. In what was their biggest such seizure, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands police uncovered more than 6,000 kg of methamphetamine on a boat and detained six Myanmar nationals for transporting the contraband.

While the government had written to Starlink seeking ownership details of devices that were recovered from drug smugglers in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the company refused to provide necessary details, citing privacy laws, The Times of India reported.

The report further said that the ministry of home affairs (MHA) has asked the department of telecommunications (DoT) to look into the matter immediately and take “appropriate” action.

The development comes at a time when Starlink is seeking a government licence to offer its satcom services in the country.

It is already embroiled in a clash with major telecom players Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio over the process of allocation of satcom spectrum.

While Starlink and Amazon Kuiper have called for the allocation of the satcom spectrum through the administrative route, Airtel and Jio have sought an auction of the spectrum.

It is pertinent to note that Starlink is yet to get a security clearance from the Centre to launch its satellite broadband services in India. The government wants assurance from the company that it would process and store data locally.