And will probably allow it to be that way yet again. Secure in the knowledge that life is cheap and long, public memory short, in our part of the world. We cannot let that happen. Not in Delhi. Not in the rest of the country. Anupam, Savitri, Chanderlok, Virat: all the cinema halls singled out last week by sub-divisional magistrate J.K. Jain must be compelled to implement safety directives. High rise buildings, including those owned by the government, breaching fire safety regulations should be issued closure notices till such time as they set their house in order All public buildings should have untrammelled access routes that do not hinder fire fighting operations, battery-powered emergency lights, ladders, working fire-extinguishing equipment, staff trained in how to work that equipment, public address systems, regular fire drills that are the norm rather than the exception in other parts of the world, 'dry' (copper wound, resin not oil surrounded) transformers with proven easy access, enclosed within fireproofed boundary walls. Legislating laws alone will not be enough. We should also enforce observance of these laws. Bi-annual checks of public use buildings should be mandatory. Renewal of operating licenses should be contingent on their meeting stringent safety and fire hazard regulations. Stiff penalties should be imposed on defaulters. Municipal, police, fire safety departments should work not at cross purposes but in tandem with each other to ensure public safety is not imperiled. That would put paid to any passing-the-buck when a tragedy occurs. Public accountability is something public servants should get used to the idea of. Finally, fire safety should be accorded the priority status it deserves by making it figure in the state or concurrent lists of the Indian Constitution.