The Supreme Court says Army and paramilitary personnel cannot use "excessive and retaliatory force" in Manipur. The court also seeks details of 1528 alleged extra judicial killings in Manipur.

The court was delivering its verdict on Friday on petitions demanding a probe by the CBI or a special investigation team into the alleged 1,500 extra-judicial killings by the army and other security forces in Manipur during 2000-12.

The petitioners allege the security forces escaped action because they operated under the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. The law makes it mandatory for the local police to take Centre's permission before initiating prosecution against erring security personnel.

The court said that the Army can also conduct its own inquiries into accusations of extra judicial killings in Manipur till the Court examines the PIL seeking SIT/CBI probe into Manipur extra judicial killings.