The Tamil Nadu based video journalist has died due to COVID-19 infection on Saturday in Chennai and he has become the first victim for the pandemic in the media fraternity in the state, as the frontline workers including the medical team, sanitary workers, policemen, and media people have been endured with the vulnerability of the viral infection. 

According to the reports, the deceased was identified as 41-year-old Vel Murugan and he was attached to the Tamil News channel as the senior cameraperson. He had made several visits to the field to cover the news amid the outbreak and lockdown and before two weeks, he developed symptoms for the infection and was tested positive for COVID-19. 

He was admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai for further treatments. However, he had succumbed to the virus on Saturday, which shocked the media fraternity. After the news of his demise broke out, many in the industry had expressed their condolences to the deceased journalist. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami has placed his condolences and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family of the victim.

In line with the Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu Minister Jayakumar has announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 and he further asserted that the victim's wife would be provided with a permanent job in the medical field. The reports say Velmurugan's wife Shanmuga Sundari works as a nurse under a contract basis at the Rajiv Gandhi Hospital.

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Panneerselvam has expressed his condolences and appealed to the media fraternity to stay vigil. DMK President MK Stalin has also extended his condolences and called on the media and frontline workers to focus on their safety.

Tamil Nadu Congress Chief KS Alagiri, MDMK Chief Vaiko, PMK Chief Ramadoss, and AMMK leader Dhinakaran had consoled the death of the senior journalist. According to the reports, Velmurugan had served as a cameraperson for twenty years and he worked in various  Tamil Channels. Lastly, he was working as a cameraperson with Raj Tv for over 12 years. Velmurugan was surviving with his wife and a son.