Indians arrested for Facebook post on Mumbai shutdown

MUMBAI (AFP) - Indian police said on Monday they had arrested a woman for criticising on Facebook the total shutdown of Mumbai after the death of politician Bal Thackeray, as well as a friend who "liked" the comment.

The pair were due to appear in court later in the day charged under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act, said Police Inspector Shrikant Pingle in the town of Palghar north of Mumbai.

"The two women will be produced in a local court later this afternoon. They are being charged for hurting religious sentiments," he said,

They were arrested on Sunday, when a huge funeral procession attended by hundreds of thousands of supporters was held in Mumbai for Mr Thackeray, the divisive founder of the rightwing Shiv Sena party.