Dev Kumar Acharya

Dev Kumar Acharya (nickname D Kaudinya; 1962 - 2002) was a Nepali journalist who was killed by the state army during the Armed Conflict in Nepal. Dev Kumar Acharya a resident of Khudunabari in Jhapa District was working as a correspondent for Janadesh Weekly and Janadisha Daily. Acharya was associated with the Arko Bikalpa weekly and had also worked for Swadhin Samwad newspaper. As previous career he had taught in Janata Secondary School, Khudunabari for many years. At the time of his assassination he was also involved in teaching profession as a lecturer in a local campus. Dev Kumar was inclined to the communist politics from early studenthood therefore he was targeted from the police during Panchayat System. He joined Janata Secondary School as primary teacher in 1985. But, he was arrested by police in June 1986 and emprisioned 4 years. He was released after restoration of democracy followed by 1990 Nepalese revolution and resumed the school teaching where he taught English and Math for secondary students .

The Royal Nepal Army abducted him from Jhapa on 23 July 2002 with accusation of supporting to the rebel Maoist. He was taken to the Army camp at Charaali Jhapa and tortured nearly 24 hours till his death under the military custody. His dead body was handed over to his family on 24 July.

When the family members found the body in the hospital mortuary, the body was covered by blood and clothes were torn. The family found his corpse that had wide open eyes, several wounds and beaten marks, thumbs and toes skin peeled off and whole body mutilated but there was no sign of bullets fired . Acharya's thought-provoking articles such as 'Huriko Geet' (song of storm), 'Uthaun Jagaun' (wake up), 'Ujyalo Saghaar Ma Uviyeko Dakshin Africa’ (South Africa standing on the bright gateway), ‘Mrityunjali Aagoka Lapka Haru’ (Mrityunjali, the flames of death) published in many newspapers has annoyed the rulers.

Dev Kumar has left behind his 3 kids and wife Yamuna Devi .