Balangir, June 3: Balangir police will not allow any obscene dance during the Sital Sasthi procession that begins on Monday.

The police have instructed all puja committees to give a written undertaking that they would not allow obscenity during the sprocession.

Balangir superintendent of police Abinash Kumar, who took charge yesterday, said obscenity in public would not be allowed during the festival.

“No public display of obscenity will be allowed during the procession this year. We have decided to form a committee to scrutinise the performances and if the committee finds anything objectionable, then the organisers would be asked to stop them. We will take stringent action against anyone found to be encouraging obscenity during the procession,” the SP added.

“The committee will be moving with the procession and will decide whether any performing group was crossing the limit of decency,” Kumar said. At least 50 dance groups would participate in the procession this year and around 150 artistes would participate in the three-day festival that begins on Monday.

“There is public demand to stop obscenity during the festival so as to make it a wholesome family affair. Several persons have requested to stop it, Kumar said.

“I had called a meeting of the members of the puja committees yesterday evening. I told them to take initiatives at their level to stop obscene acts during the festival,” the SP added.

The return procession of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati would begin early on Wednesday and continue till the afternoon, in which processions of four major puja committees would participate.

A total of eight puja committees in the town are organising the Sital Sasthi festival this year.