TN video journalist succumbs to COVID-19, CM announces Rs 5 lakh assistance

A 41-year-old senior cameraman with a popular private television channel in Tamil Nadu succumbed to COVID-19 at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital on Saturday.

He is the first journalist in the state to fall prey to the dreaded disease.

Condoling the cameraman's death, Chief Minister K. Palaniswami announced a solatium of Rs 5 lakh to the bereaved family. Minister for Information, Kadambur Raju too condoled the death and said he would provide Rs 50,000 assistance.

He also urged the journalists to be careful while going out to gather news.

Political leaders like DMK President M.K. Stalin, PMK Founder S. Ramadoss also extended their condolences. They appealed to the journalist fraternity to take necessary precautions to safeguard themselves.

The video cameraman, E Velmurugan's death was very unfortunate and saddening, Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner G Prakash said.

Chennai Press Club Joint Secretary Bharathi Tamizhan said the deceased journalist is survived by his wife and 12 year old son.

He said the cameraman's wife has been working as a nurse on contract at the Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital and appealed to Palaniswami to regularise her services.

Tamizhan also urged Palaniswami to draft a comprehensive insurance scheme for journalists.