JUDGMENT :

Nelson Sailo, J.

1. The dispute involved in the present writ petition is with regard to the inter-se-seniority between the writ petitioners and the private respondents. According to the petitioners, they were directly appointed as Block Development Officers (BDO) through a selection process while the private respondents have been absorbed and regularized to the said post after they were either appointed on contract basis or brought on deputation from other Departments except for respondent No. 17, who was promoted from a lower post to the post of BDO.

2. Heard Mr. A. Zhimomi, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr. Taka Masa, learned Senior Counsel assisted by Mr. Arenlong, learned counsel appearing for respondent Nos. 4 to 16. Also heard Mr. K Wotsa, learned Senior Government Advocate appearing for the respondent Nos. 1, 2 and 3. None appears for the respondent No. 17 despite notice.

3. Brief facts of the case essential for disposal of the writ petition may be noticed at the outset. Pursuant to the advertisement floated by the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) vide Addendum dated 12.07.2012 for 16 posts of BDO under the Rural Development Department which was res