Shiv Sena activists protested in Maharashtra over alleged derogatory Facebook posts pertaining to the late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray (file photo)

Shiv Sena activists on Sunday protested in Maharashtra over alleged derogatory Facebook posts pertaining to Chhatrapati Shivaji and the late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, officials said.Several public buses, private vehicles, shops and establishments were pelted with stones and damaged in Pune, Kolhapur, Solapur and other parts of western Maharashtra.Angry Shiv Sainiks demanded that the objectionable posts be removed from the social networking site.Meanwhile, Mumbai police registered a case against unidentified persons for posting the matter on Facebook.A spontaneous shutdown was observed in many parts of Pune, Solapur, Kolhapur and north-eastern Mumbai on Sunday.The protests began on Saturday with the blocking of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway for several hours, but the situation was described as "under control" by Sunday evening.On Saturday, Shiv Sena state spokesperson Neelam Gorhe raised the issue with state Home Minister RR Patil who assured appropriate steps in the matter.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Rural Development Gopinath Munde condemned the issue and discussed it with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.Mr Munde also urged people to maintain peace and remain calm.