Haldwani, May 14 -- The state excise department on Wednesday launched a crackdown on illegal liquor manufacturing units operating in forest areas and villages in Kashipur and Jaspur in Udham Singh Nagar district, officials said. Excise inspector Mahendra Singh Bisht said that two illicit kilns were dismantled during conducted in Kaliawala and Patrampur villages in Kashipur on Wednesday. "The team seized around 150 litres of illegal liquor and destroyed nearly 6,000 kg of lahan (fermented raw material used to make liquor). Equipment used in liquor manufacturing was also confiscated," Bisht said. He added that four FIRs were registered under Section 60 of the Excise Act against those involved in the illegal trade. "One woman, identified as Veerwati, a resident of Kaliawala in Kashipur, and Kuldeep Singh, a resident of Bhogpur Dam in Jaspur, were arrested," he said. Bisht said several accused managed to flee before the raids, and efforts were underway to identify and arrest them. "We have appealed to villagers to promptly inform the excise department about any such illegal activities in forest areas. Consumption of illicit liquor can be life-threatening. The department is not only carrying out enforcement drives but also spreading awareness about the dangers of consuming raw liquor," he added....