In an appeal, he said, "This type of protest by way of stalling port activities will not be taken by the people positively as they are aware that it is not in the interest of the nation."
Vasan's appeal comes a day after S P Udayakumar, convener of the Peoples Movement Against Nuclear Energy, spearheading the stir against the Kudankulam Nuclear Plant, said fisherfolk along with anti-nuclear activists would block the Tuticorin port tomorrow using boats.
Stating that the protest would affect the region's export-import trade, Vasan said the port contributed highly to the overall development of the nation's economy and provided employment to millions of people.
"I appeal to the protesters to refrain from taking up protest to stop the ship movements in VOC Port and thereby stalling all port related activities," he said, adding, the UPA government always acted in the interest of fishermen.
He hoped the Tamil Nadu government would take all steps to contain "this type of protest" which affected the overall growth of the country in general and Tamil Nadu in particular.
Vasan said the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project has not yet been operationalised and people of the state were "eagerly" waiting for more electricity.
