PTI, LUCKNOW:  Two 'sadhus' were stabbed to death and another injured inside a temple premises by unidentified persons today triggering mob violence in the Bidhuna area of Auraiya district, police said.

Enraged at the killings, a mob set some shops ablaze and pelted stones forcing the police to fire in the air, they said. The situation was brought under control even as there was a heavy deployment of security personnel to maintain law and order, they said.

The exact motive behind the crime was not immediately clear, police said adding they suspected the victims' opposition to cow slaughter could be one reason.

Taking note of the incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed top officials including the Principal Secretary (Home) and the state DGP to ensure the case was worked out within 48 hours and strict action was taken against the culprits.

The chief minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the two deceased sadhus and Rs 1 lakh for the injured monk, an official spokesman said in Lucknow.