No more tousled facial hair or those menacing vermilion tilaks on foreheads for Bihar policemen and no, not even high neck inner wears and mufflers to beat winter chill.

Having accorded top priority to crime-control, Bihar's new NDA government has told the policemen to tidy up or face the music.

After a recent meeting with the police brass where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar voiced unhappiness over the appearance of the men in uniform, the state police headquarters has sent circulars to police stations across the state ordering the policemen to dress according to the police manual.

"Officers and jawans are often found not wearing their uniforms properly with the result that they look ridiculous. Such policemen look worse than home guards. When they include civilian attire in their uniforms, they appear like jokers which is bad for the image of the force," reads the terse notice.

According to sources in the police headquarters, the officers and jawans have been commanded to sport short hair and to shave regularly.

They have been directed not to wear mufflers, high neck inners, civilian shoes or 'tilaks' on their forehead while on duty and said that violation of the dress code will invite disciplinary action.