KATHMANDU: The main opposition party UCPN-Maoist on Monday announced two more autonomous states—Sherpa autonomous state from Salleri, Solukhumbu and Kirat autonomous state from Khotang as a part of its third phase protests.

UCPN-Maoist supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal declared the Sherpa autonomous state while Kirat autonomous state was declared by Gopal Kirati, the politburo member of the party. The party said that the Kirat autonomous state comprises Solukhumbu, Udayapur, Khotang, Okhaldunga, Bhojpur and Sankhuwasabha districts.

With the declaration, the Maoists have declared six autonomous states so far. They had declared Limbuwan state from Terathum and Kochila state from Jhapa on November 11 and Seti-Mahakali state from Doti and Tharuwan autonomous state from Nepalgunj on December 13 earlier.