In Nepal, the opposition Unified CPN (Maoist) has decided to declare 13 autonomous states, as a part of protest programme for establishing civilian supremacy. The Maoists, who had postponed their earlier programme to declare autonomous states during the second phase of agitation, decided to do so from 11th December at a meeting of ethnic and regional units of the party held under the chairmanship of the party chief Prachanda.<br/><br/>Maoist Spokesman Dinanath Sharma said the proposal to declare the states is a symbolic gesture to put pressure to institutionalize the federal structure under the new constitution.<br/>Commenting on the Maoists decision, CPN (UML) leader Pradip Gyawali said such activity would violate the comprehensive peace agreement.<br/>