NEW DELHI: Alleging violation of human rights and unfair treatment by the US embassy , an Indian political researcher has asked the Indian government to intercede with the US on her behalf.Aparna Srivastava says she was a political researcher at the US embassy for three months before she was summarily thrown out, and forced to sign a resignation letter.In a letter to the government, Srivastava says, "Barely three and a half months after my joining, most inhuman treatment was meted out to me on October 19, 2012. Deputy minister councillor, political, Mr Gautam Rana took me to HR at 2pm on that day, saying that it was a routine exercise. The HR officers seized my BlackBerry and said my services were being terminated with immediate effect. I was not allowed to call anyone in the embassy or outside and was illegitimately confined in a room. I could not move out from there till I signed a pre-drafted resignation letter. I was not given a copy of that ‘‘resignation letter’’ and was not even allowed to get my personal belongings. Half of my stuff dumped in two cartons hurriedly was brought there and I was forced to leave the premises immediately in a taxi called by HR."When asked for a reaction, Peter Vrooman, spokesperson for the US Embassy said, "the locally employed staff (LES) in question was let go for subpar performance during her probationary employment period. All LES are required to serve a trial period of one year, during which time they may be separated for failing to perform satisfactorily."Srivastava joined the embassy on July 2, 2012, she said, after serving for seven years on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Her job description including writing reports on human rights issues for short-term and long term consumption. She told TOI she had a special problem with her immediate superior, her supervisor, called Stacy Pearce."Stacy Pearce had a problem with me. She thought I was "defensive and argumentative" and this was one of the reasons given for my dismissal. I thought I was giving an unbiased opinion. But I was accused of being pro-Indian government and pro-NHRC." Srivastava said. She said one of the reasons given for her dismissal: "I was accused of sharing information with outsiders." Denying this, she said, "I did not know anything to share with anyone."In her letter, she said, "She (Pearce) deplored the fact that I gave honest opinion about the human rights issues after looking at both sides of the argument and would not blindly toe the official lines. In spite of her rude, unreasonable and unsupportive behaviour, I persevered to the best of my capabilities and patience to prove myself." She states her contract does not mention any probation period.Srivastava said she wrote several letters to the US embassy, including to the ambassador, but did not receive a response. "I gave a detailed account on my assignments/performance report with the embassy and that my rights as an employee were violated. I requested the ambassador to consider my resignation as withdrawn as it was signed under duress, and allow me to work on this or any other position of her choice."In a bilateral environment where India and the US are hardening their positions on consular and protocol issues after an Indian diplomat was arrested in New York, a once-trumpeted strategic partnership lies in shreds.