ORDER :

N. Kotiswar Singh, J.

1. Heard Mr. K.N. Choudhury, learned senior counsel for the petitioners assisted by Mr. B.K. Kashyap, learned counsel for the petitioners in W.P.(C) 2428/2017 and Mr. B. Chakravarty, learned counsel for the petitioners in W.P.(C) 4532/2016. Also heard Mr. S. Dutta, learned Standing Counsel, Forest Department for the respondents.

2. These two petitions are clubbed and heard together, considering the identical issues raised, and accordingly, disposed of by this common order.

3. In W.P.(C) No. 4532 of 2016, the petitioners have challenged the cancellation of the Select List notified vide Notice dated 17.8.2016, by which the Select List prepared for the post of Constables in Assam Forest Protection Force (AFPF, in short) as advertised on 23.07.2014 and 24.01.2016 was cancelled on the ground that such list suffers from infirmities of not following the constitutional provisions relating to reservation and also various judgments of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India regarding reservation laws and rules.

4. Petitioners also have challenged the subsequent advert