A senior executive of a private firm was allegedly murdered by striking employees in a gruesome turn to the year-long labour unrest and dismissal of 42 workers in Coimbatore's rural limits.

Dashboard instruments manufacturing company Pricol Ltd dismissed on Monday the employees from its unit at Kuniyamuthur, citing low productivity, after issuing several warnings and show-cause notices in the past one year.

Angered over the dismissal, some striking employees allegedly attacked Roy J George, vice-president (human resources), and three other staff with sticks and iron rods at the Periyanaicenpalayam unit on Monday night, police said.

George, who suffered major brain injuries, was admitted to a private hospital in critical condition and succumbed this afternoon, they said.

Seven of the assailants have been arrested and charged under Section 302 of IPC.

The body has been sent to the government hospital for post-mortem, the police said, adding that a strong contingent of police personnel had been posted in all units of the company.