Santiniketan, Dec. 13: Police have formed a special team to investigate the frequent thefts of sandalwood trees in Santiniketan and prevent the crime.

The police have questioned at least 150 people, including timber traders and residents, to find out who are involved in the racket but have drawn a blank so far.

Forest department sources said sandalwood trees grew naturally in Santiniketan and its neighbourhood because of the laterite soil.

A police officer said: "At least eight sandalwood trees have been stolen this year from various places in Santiniketan. This indicates the involvement of an organised racket. It could be that a section of timber merchants in north Bengal is involved. We have information that there are active tree-stealing rackets in the forests of north Bengal."

A senior forest officer in north Bengal said sandalwood was "very costly" because it is used to make medicines, cosmetics and artefacts. "A full-grown sandalwood tree costs around Rs 22 lakh. Trading in sandalwood is profitable," he said.

Police sources said they suspected that the sandalwood thieves were operating from the Bolpur area.

"We suspect that the gang members are carrying out regular reconnaissance of sandalwood trees in house compounds in Santiniketan. We will hold talks with the forest department to find out whether there has been any theft of sandalwood trees in forest areas like Sonajhuri (neighbouring Santiniketan)," a police officer said.

The officer said there was no database on the number of sandalwood trees in Santiniketan and its neighbouring forest areas. According to Visva-Bharati officials, the university will hold talks with the forest department to prepare a database on sandalwood trees to help the police.

The officiating chief security officer of Visva-Bharati, Ashok Mahato, said: "We are worried about the thefts and believe a racket is involved. We have already increased the number of guards to keep a tighter vigil on the campus.

"Around a dozen security guards are deployed at night to keep a watch on the sandalwood trees. A patrolling vehicle makes frequent rounds of the campus."

Supriyo Tagore, a former principal of Patha Bhavana, said: "There are hundreds of sandalwood trees in Santiniketan but earlier we had never heard of thefts."