ORDER :

MANISH CHOUDHURY, J.

1. By this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner has assailed the decision of the State respondents in fixing his seniority in the cadre of Lower Division Assistant (LDA), subsequently re-designated as Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA), in Nagaland Secretariat Service (NSS) w.e.f. 29.06.2007, instead of w.e.f. 29.06.2006, thereby, placing his inter se seniority position below the respondent Nos. 5 to 50.

2. I have heard Mr. C.T. Jamir, learned senior counsel assisted by Ms. Nukshinaro, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Ms. S. Mere, learned Government Advocate for the State respondents and Mr. Taka Masa, learned senior counsel assisted by Mr. Arenlong learned counsel for the respondent Nos. 5 to 44.

3. Before proceeding further, a brief narration of facts leading to the institution of the writ petition is necessitated. By an order dated 17.12.2003 issued under the hand of the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Home Department, Secretariat Administration Branch, Government of Nagaland, the petitioner came to be appointed to the post of Account Assistant, a post transferred from the erstwhile Nagaland Worksh