Imphal, December 18: SpaceX founder Elon Musk said Starlink satellite beams were turned off over India, reacting to claims that its device was being used in restive Manipur. The security forces recently seized some internet devices along with arms and ammunition during a raid in Keirao Khunou in Imphal East district. The Spear Corps of the Indian Army had shared photos of the items seized on X, and social media users were quick to note that one of the devices had a "Starlink logo" on it.

Pointing to it, an X user posted, "@Starlink is being used by terrorists. Hope, Elon @elonmusk looks into it and help control misuse of this technology."

Musk replied, "This is false. Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India." Among the items seized from Keirao Khunou were "one internet Satellite Antenna, one internet Satellite Router and 20 meters (approx.) of FTP cables", according to the state police. Elon Musk Net Worth: US Billionaire on Course To Script History as His Wealth Nears Record USD 500 Billion Mark.

The recovery of the Starlink-like device has also prompted agencies to investigate how the equipment found its way to the strife-torn state, officials had said. Musk's Starlink, which provides satellite internet services, does not have a licence to operate in India. Space One Kairos Rocket Aborted: Japanese Space Startup Aborts 2nd Satellite Launch Attempts Minutes After Liftoff.

More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups in Manipur since May last year.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)