I have heard Mr E.Y. Renthungo, learned counsel for the petitioners, Mr I. Jamir, learned Addl. Advocate General for respondents Nos. 1 to 4, Mr.. C.T. Jamir, learned counsel for the respondent No. 6 and Mr. A. Zhimomi, learned counsel for the respondent Nos. 5, 7, 8 and 9.

2. All the writ petitions are taken up together as it relates to the same question of facts and law as all the petitioners have assailed the absorption of respondent No. 6 and regularisation of respondent Nos. 5,7,8 and 9 and the officiating promotion of respondent Nos. 10 and 11, and also the validity of sub-rule(c) of Rule 6 of the Nagaland Soil & Water Conservation Service Rules, 1997.

3. Smt. Lily Tep, writ petitioner in W.P.(C) 118(K)2000 was appointed as Instructor, Class-Ill non-gazetted by order dated 6.1.1987 in the Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Nagaland. Her service was converted into Class-II gazetted by notification dated 29.9.1997 w.e.f. 1.6.1990.

4. Shri N.I. Toshi Ozukum, writ petitioner in W.P.(C) 127(K)2000 was appointed as Ranger, Class-Ill non-gazetted in the Soil and Water Conservation Department by order dated 6.1.1987. His post was converted into Class-II gazetted by