The Belgaum police on Tuesday detained Pramod Muthalik, the founder of Hindu right-wing organisation Shri Ram Sena, in connection with the attack on a group of girls in a Mangalore pub on Saturday.

Muthalik was detained immediately after he addressed a press conference in Belgaum, where he condemned the attack. Terming the incident regrettable, he declared that the  Sena would continue to 'protect Indian culture'.

"We will continue to safeguard the culture and values of India. If anyone violates our culture and traditions, we would not hesitate to protest," he told mediapersons.

The police had launched a manhunt for Muthalik after some members of the Shri Ram Sena allegedly assaulted and molested some women at the Mangalore pub. Under immense pressure from various quarters, the Karnataka police on Tuesday detained 19 members of the Sena, including state convenor Prasad Attavar.

The police are now looking for Dinaker Shetty, the leader of the Shri Ram Sena's Mangalore unit, who had claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to Karnataka Director General of Police R Shreekumar, 27 persons have been arrested in connection with the Mangalore incident. Non-bailable cases ranging from criminal trespass, assault on women and criminal conspiracy have been registered against the offenders, he said.

He clarified that Muthalik had been detained, not arrested, as no case has been registered against him.

Shreekumar added that all the arrested accused were produced in court on Tuesday. The state police chief urged the public to help law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace in the society.