T E N Y E A R S O F T H E C O M M I S S I O N I N R E T RO S P E C T Government or the competent State Government. Since 1995-96, the Commission has been continuously seized of the problems facing some 300,000 Kashmiri Pandits who have been compelled to leave the Valley. The Commission has made, and pursued, a series of far-reaching recommendations to assist them in practical ways. It has also monitored the situation, inter alia, in the NorthEastern States and in areas affected by "naxalite" activity, making observations and recommendations as the need arose. 2) Guidelines in respect of Custodial deaths/rapes, Post-Mortem examinations, "Encounters", and other related issues 2.22 As early as 14 December 1993, the Commission instructed all Chief Secretaries to ensure that all cases of custodial death and rape are reported to it within twenty-four hours of occurrence, failing which an adverse inference would be drawn by the Commission. On 10 August 1995, all Chief Ministers were requested to ensure that all post-mortem examinations of deaths in custody be videographed. On 27 March 1997, Chief Ministers were additionally requested to adopt a Model Autopsy Form, prepared by the Commission, and to use for this purpose. In all, over 5,500 cases of custodial death have been reported to the Commission since it was established. These cases have been meticulously reviewed in the Commission, with the help of its Investigation Division, and appropriate orders passed in respect of them. 2.23 The issue of "encounters" was the subject of detailed hearings by the Commission in 1996-97, comprehensive guidelines being sent to Chief Ministers on 27 March 1997 in respect of the manner in which such "encounters" should be investigated and reported upon. 2.24 Guidelines were also issued in respect of certain other practices having a bearing on human rights. For instance, on 11 January 2000, guidelines were issued in regard to the use of polygraph tests, and on 22 November 2000, Chief Ministers were sent a letter providing detailed guidelines on the subject of arrest and detention. 2.25 The need for India to accede to the 1984 Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment was first raised by the Commission in 1994-95. To deal with all of the arguments and objections that had been raised in respect of this matter, the Commission ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003 ... ... 17 ... ... ..