Jhansi, June 16 -- A sitting Samajwadi Party MP and a former Rajya Sabha member of the party on Monday accused the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state of failing to curb illegal mining in the Bundelkhand region. Speaking to reporters in Banda, former Rajya Sabha MP Vishambhar Prasad Nishad and sitting Banda-Chitrakoot MP Krishna Devi Patel claimed that illegal sand mining continues unabated in the Ken, Bagen and Yamuna rivers, allegedly under the protection of politically connected individuals. The leaders alleged that mining operators are extracting sand beyond approved limits, damaging river ecosystems, agricultural fields and public infrastructure. According to them, excessive excavation has altered natural river flows and created deep pits that have led to fatal accidents. Calling for stricter action against illegal mining and environmental degradation, the SP leaders warned that continued exploitation of natural resources and unchecked deforestation could have long-term consequences for the region's ecology and future development. Nishad also claimed that candidates from OBC, SC and ST communities had been denied their due representation in several government recruitment drives....