The public administration ministry today withdrew deputy secretary Abdul Bari from an Election Commission project over alleged assault of two journalists.

Bari, who was working as deputy director in the project in deputation, has been attached to the ministry, according to a circular.

Two journalists of Channel 24, a private satellite television station, were assaulted by staff of the EC's National Identity (NID) Registration Wing in Dhaka's Agargaon area on August 19 when the two went there for professional purpose.

The victims, GM Mostafizul Alam, a reporter, and Ripu Ahmed, a cameraperson, alleged that the attack was launched following the direction of Abdul Bari, as he claimed the journalists went there without permission of the authority. 

Bari was working as a deputy director of the EC's Identification System for Enhancing Access to Services project.

A day after the incident, EC Secretary Sirazul Islam requested the public administration ministry to withdraw him.

Director General of the NID wing Brig Gen Sultanuzzaman Md Saleh Uddin formed a three-member committee to investigate the allegation.