(Minghui.org) Authorities in Heilongjiang Province arrested at least 40 Falun Gong practitioners in the weeks leading up to the Chinese New Year, which fell on January 28, 2017.

Twelve people in Harbin were arrested on January 18 alone. They were: Jia Yanling, Gong Wenyi, Shi Xiangyun, Bao, Wu and Ren from the Daowai District, Hu Xiulan and Yang Qiji from the Nangang District, and Wei Xuwang and Cuiguifen from Xianfeng Village. Zhu Fengying and Zhao are missing and presumed arrested. Another practitioner from Yichun disappeared, too.

The police picked up 14 practitioners in Shangzhi City, including Zhang Zhenren and Wang Wenling. Five teachers from Lindian County—Leng Xiuxia, Wang Fengchen, Ai Jiaojie, Wang Kun, and Li Liansheng—were also arrested.

Ms. Zhou Xiuhui from Ning'an and eight practitioners from Lanxi County were arrested.