Greater Noida, May 11 (IANS) Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was late Wednesday arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police while he was on a sit-in at Bhatta Parsaul village in support of agitating farmers demanding higher compensation for their land that is being acquired for a highway project.

 
 State Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh and party MP Raj Babbar were also arrested with Gandhi, Gautam Budh Nagar acting district magistrate Sheetal Verma said.
 
 "Rahul Gandhi has been arrested for violating the prohibitory orders enforced under section 144 of Cr.P.C ((Criminal Procedure Code). State president Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Digvijay Singh and Raj Babbar were also arrested along with Rahul Gandhi," she said.
 
 The district administration, prior to the arrests, imposed section 144 of the Cr.P.C.
 
 According to the rules, Gandhi would be produced before a court Thursday and till then, he would be lodged at the appropriate place in consultation with Special Protection Group personnel, the official said.
 
 Police and agitating farmers fought a pitched battle Saturday in Bhatta Parsaul that killed four people, including two policemen.
 
 Gandhi was in the village supporting farmers who are agitating for higher compensation for land acquired for the 156-km Yamuna Expressway, linking New Delhi with Agra.
 
 The Congress scion sneaked into the village, which was barred to politicians and outsiders, early Wednesday on a motor-bike despite heavy police presence. He spent nearly 18 hours with the villagers before his arrest.