New Delhi, Nov 23 (IANS): Police forces enable good governance and should be viewed as part of "soft infrastructure" for greater allocation of funds, Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Asif Ibrahim said here Saturday.

Speaking at the annual DGPs (Director General of Police) conference here, Ibrahim said that 579 policemen had sacrificed their lives this year. He said police enables good governance and funds given to it contribute to economic growth.

"Hence, it should be viewed as part of soft infrastructure and accordingly provided allocations," he said.

The conference was also addressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The IB chief said the reduction in left wing extremist violence had opened the space for good governance in Maoist-affected areas.

The security forces were committed to expand the political space by dismantling naxalite strongholds in south Chhattisgarh, he added.

Ibrahim said money extorted by militants in the northeast was used for purchasing weapons and some of the militants take refuge in neighbouring countries. There was need for effective border management to weaken the rebels, he added.