The Mahadhesi ethnic community, which makes up a third of Nepal's 27 million population, has long complained of discrimination and being shut out of power.

"We want an autonomous Mahadhes state that includes the right to self-determination," said Upendra Yadhav, leader of the Mahadhesi Janadhikar (People's Rights) Forum, told AFP on Saturday.

The call came as three towns remained under curfew to head off more ethnic violence that has killed at least 13 people and injured dozens in the fertile but impoverished Terai lowlands bordering India. No incidents were reported.

Yadhav said the group put the demands late Friday to Nepali Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at a meeting and he gave a "positive" response.

But Yadhav said that further talks with the government would only be possible if Nepal's Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula resigns.

He accused Sitaula of failing to check allegedly excessive force used against Mahadhesis demonstrators over the past two weeks.

On Friday, the government set up a committee of three ministers to try to end the unrest.

Earlier in the week, the premier promised the region would be allocated more seats in a future parliament based on its population and that the country would have a new federal system.