Crackdown on cults continues with arrests

China has strengthened its efforts to crack down on cults by arresting more than 1,500 cult members and handing out at least 86 prison terms nationwide in the past two years. The aim is to undermine cult organizations and prevent more violence in various regions.

The public security bureau in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region said it had detained more than 800 members of the Quannengshen ("Almighty God") cult and 580 members of the Mentuhui ("Disciples Sect") cult since 2012, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Police in Liaoning province have arrested 113 key members of Quannengshen since last year.