JUDGMENT :

Nelson Sailo, J.

1. Heard Mr. K. Sema, learned Senior Addl. Advocate General, Nagaland assisted by Ms. Levika, learned Government Advocate for the appellants. Also heard Ms. Akala, learned ASGI appearing for the respondent No. 7 and Mr. Taka Masa, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Ms. Tiakumla for the respondent Nos. 1 to 6/writ petitioners.

2. This writ appeal is directed against the Judgment & Order dated 09.11.2017 passed by the learned Single Judge in WP(C) No. 33(K)/2017.

3. Brief facts of the case as projected by the writ petitioners is that the petitioners are the Village Guard Association of Nagaland and its office bearers and the association is a Registered Service Association under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 as amended and the place of registration is at Tuensang town.

4. According to the petitioners, the Village Guards Association of Nagaland represents the personnel of all Village Guards (VGs for short), serving in the State of Nagaland. VGs was established in the State in the year 1957. Presently, the VGs are employed in Mon, Tuensang, Kiphrie, Longleng, Phek (Meluri Subdivision) districts of Nagaland. The VGs was initially a voluntary force of peasant