Patna, Aug 24 - Bihar's police chief is being criticised for sporting a sandalwood 'tilak' on his forehead to work, with the criticism getting more strident after he asked members of two police associations not to wear khadi instead of their uniform.

The state's Director General of Police (DGP) Anand Shankar is under fire from Bihar Policemen's Association leaders for coming to work with the sandalwood paste mark on the forehead. They say it violates the rules laid down in the police manual.

Association president Jitendra Narain Singh said here Monday that the DGP was often seen with the 'tilak' during duty hours, which is in violation of Section 1061 of the police manual.

'The police manual forbids any police official to use any type of 'tika' or 'tilak'. He is after all the police chief and should avoid it,' Singh said.

'What message does the DGP want to give to the people by performing 'puja' in his office after shutting the door for over three hours,' another association member asked.