In Nepal, the opposition Unified CPN (Maoist) declared two more states – Magarat and Tamuwan autonomous states today as a part of their on going third phased of anti-government agitation. With this, the number of Maoist-declared autonomous states has reached twelve.Maoist general secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa declared the Magarat autonomous state at Tansen in Palpa district this afternoon, while Maoist central committee member Dev Gurung declared the Tamuwan autonomous state at Pokhara on Kaski district. Defying calls from several quarters to withdraw the autonomous state declaration programme, the Maoists went ahead with its plan to declare 13 autonomous states based on ethnicity and region from the 11thof this month.Three major Terai based political parties – Madhesi Janadhikar Forum(Loktantrik ), Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party (TMLP) and Sadbhawana Party) have criticized the declaration of autonomous federal states saying such act would undermine the role of Constituent Assembly. A meeting of top leaders of the three Madhesh-based parties has demanded the opposition Maoists to immediately withdraw the unilateral declaration of states.