Hrishikesh Roy, J.

1. Heard Mr. A.K. Bhattacharjee, learned senior counsel representing the petitioners. Also heard Ms. G Deka, learned Addl. Senior Government who represents the State-respondents.

2. The petitioners are 'Group-C & D' employees of the Lower Dibang Valley District and are before this Court in connection with their posting and transfer grievances, in pursuant to the bifurcation of the original Dibang Valley District into Dibang Valley District and Lower Dibang Valley District w.e.f. 16.12.2001. It may be noticed at the out-set that the Dibang Valley District with its District Headquarter at Anini is considered a hard posting district and Lower Dibang Valley District with its District Headquarter at Roing is considered a soft posting district. The writ-petitioners are posted in the soft district of Lower Dibang Valley District with its District Headquarter at Roing.

3. The order to appreciate the issues raised in the instant petition, certain essential facts must be noticed.

Following the bifurcation of the Dibang Valley District into 2(two) districts w.e.f. 16.12.2001, the bifurcation of the 'Group-C & D' Staffs serving in the undivided Dibang Valley District bec