Attavar was arrested along with Lohith, another member of the Ram Sena, for attacking some girls in a pub on Saturday.
Murugesh, the driver of one of the lorries, said that a mob stopped his vehicle and asked him to get off, before setting the lorry ablaze.
A violent mob attacked a bus at Padeel, while it was on its way back to Kundapur from Chennai. The passengers were unhurt in the attack, but the bus was badly damaged.
The mob also attacked another bus on Padeel Bajal Road.
A case has been registered against the members of the mob, based on the complaint filed by the drivers.
The Karnataka State Reserve Police has been deployed in Mangalore and the situation is under control, according to authorities. The state police chief is scheduled to visit the city today and security has been beefed up.
A students' union and various human rights groups have condemned the attack and demanded action against the Ram Sena.
Image: One of the lorries damaged by the protestors | Photograph: Daya Kukkaje daijiworld