Bhubaneswar, Sept. 16: Police would crack whip on errant DJs and band parties who would flout sound limits during the festival season in the twin cities.

The cops have issued notices to all police stations to stick to the Orissa High Court order and not allow anybody to play speakers beyond 65 decibel during any stage performance or processions.

Violators will either face heavy fines or be blacklisted. They could also be arrested. "Any violation to this effect will attract penalty of up to Rs 500. The loudspeakers can also be seized," said a police official.

The inspectors in charge of the police stations have been asked to conduct regular checking of the equipment and accessories of the band parties and DJs, so that they use sound limiters in their amplifiers.

An official said the organisers must stick to the norms prescribed by the police and follow the high court order.

The officers have also been asked to make people aware about the rules, so that the festival season that starts with Ganesh Puja and ends with Kartik Purnima could pass off peacefully.

The police have earlier been criticised for failing to enforce the high court order and implement the sound-limit norms during the festivals. As Ganesh Puja is observed in almost every nook and corner of the city, there are chances that organisers would flout the sound norms.

It has created concern among residents, especially senior citizens, who are worst affected by the high-decibel noise from speakers during the festivals.

"The police have failed to control the use of speakers. Students face a lot of problems during their examinations," said Saheed Nagar resident Harihar Das.

Deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi said the police stations concerned had been asked to keep tabs on performance of vulgar dance during immersion and stage programmes.

"We will ensure that residents do not face any difficulty during the festival season," said Bhoi.