Cuttack, Sept. 6: Police today formed a 12-member special squad to keep tabs on revellers performing vulgar dances during the weeklong cultural programmes on the occasion of Ganesh Puja here.

"Cultural programmes, especially by orchestra groups, form the essence of any festive season in Cuttack. We as an audience want the groups to showcase real talent in terms of singing and dancing. No civil society will accept any vulgar performances by any group," said Biju Mathew, a resident, who hails from Kerala.

"As part of our strategy to ensure that the Ganesh Puja passes off peacefully, we have decided to deploy extra manpower near pandals as well as in places where cultural programmes will be organised," said deputy commissioner of police Sanjeev Arora.

Senior officials said the immersion ceremony would be conducted in three phases starting September 11. The clubs as well as puja committees have been asked to apply for licence from their respective local police stations at the earliest.

Deploying DJ has been completely banned and the clubs have been asked to complete musical nights and other cultural programmes by 10pm.

The orchestra and band parties have been instructed to get their sound limiters checked at the office of deputy commissioner of police following which they will be issued a licence valid for the Ganesh Puja, sources said.

The band parties have also been directed not to use six loud speakers during the immersion ceremony.

"According to high court orders, we have already issued instructions to clubs and other associations to follow the 65-decibel norm or else the sound systems will be seized," Arora added.

The orchestra groups have also welcomed the initiatives.

Vice-president of Cuttack Melody Association Shyam Kumar said each orchestra group usually charges nearly Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 per performance, while the association has asked the police to impose a fine of Rs 2,000 on groups caught violating the norms, including promoting vulgar performances.